Tallest horse living

Guinness World Records are saddened to hear that Big Jake, the record holder for the tallest horse living, has passed away. 

The news was confirmed by Big Jake’s owners on Facebook on 28 June 2021.

"It is with a heavy heart we share the passing of Big Jake. Big Jake was much more than a world record holder. He was a central part of our family," they said in the post.

"We feel very privileged to have had him in our lives. He truly loved people and impacted many over the course of his lifetime. We will miss you!!"

Big Jake resided at Smokey Hollow Farm (Poynette, Wisconsin, USA) with owner Jerry Gilbert and his family.

He broke the record for the tallest horse living on 19 January 2010 and first appeared in the 2011 edition of the Guinness World Records book. 

Big Jake was a Belgian Gelding and measured (without shoes) 20 hands 2.75 in (210.19 cm, 82.75 in).

The offspring of two averaged-sized horses, Big Jake weighed 240 lbs when he was born. Although he was tall for a foal, he wasn’t exceptionally big. But he just kept on growing.

His large size meant he ate two full bucket of grain and a bale of hay per day.

Big Jake became a major attraction at Smokey Hollow Farm. 

In a 2018 interview with us, Jerry said: "We are proud to hold the record and enjoy the people who visit the farm. We enjoy the reactions and when people leave our farm happy from the experience of seeing Jake."

Our thoughts go out to Big Jake’s family at this difficult time.